Market breadth remained positive on the BSE, with 2,352 stocks advancing against 1,609 declines, while 207 stocks remained unchanged.
Benchmark indices pared early gains in afternoon trade on Friday, with the Sensex trading 318.95 points or 0.38 per cent higher at 84,800.76 and the Nifty up 105.95 points or 0.41 per cent at 25,921.50 as of 1.13 pm, significantly lower than the opening levels that saw the Sensex surge 468.44 points.
The 30-share BSE Sensex opened at 84,756.79, while the NSE Nifty 50 started the session at 25,911.50, tracking firm global cues after lower-than-expected US inflation data reinforced expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. However, the indices lost momentum as the session progressed, with profit-booking emerging in select heavyweight stocks.
Market breadth remained positive on the BSE, with 2,352 stocks advancing against 1,609 declines, while 207 stocks remained unchanged. As many as 87 stocks touched their 52-week highs, while 152 hit fresh lows. A total of 146 stocks hit upper circuit limits, while 143 touched lower circuits.
Shriram Finance emerged as the top gainer on the Nifty 50, surging 4.52 per cent to ₹908.75, followed by Max Healthcare Institute which gained 2.18 per cent to ₹1,071.40. Bharat Electronics advanced 1.62 per cent to ₹389.65, while Bajaj Auto rose 1.53 per cent to ₹8,966 and Eicher Motors climbed 1.43 per cent to ₹7,208.
On the losing side, HCL Technologies declined 1.31 per cent to ₹1,639.70, while Hindalco fell 0.93 per cent to ₹848.70. Adani Enterprises dropped 0.77 per cent to ₹2,212.20, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories slipped 0.66 per cent to ₹1,271.60, and Bharti Airtel lost 0.45 per cent to ₹2,082.50.
Sectoral indices showed mixed trends, with Nifty Next 50 gaining 0.19 per cent to 67,959.85 and Nifty Financial Services advancing 0.28 per cent to 27,342.65. The Nifty Bank index rose marginally by 0.09 per cent to 58,960.25, while broader markets outperformed with Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.39 per cent at 59,823.80 and Nifty Smallcap 100 climbing 0.57 per cent to 17,257.15.
Foreign Institutional Investors extended their buying for a second consecutive session on December 18, purchasing equities worth nearly ₹600 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors remained strong buyers with inflows of ₹2,700 crore.
The afternoon session saw traders exercising caution ahead of the Bank of Japan’s rate decision, with market participants closely monitoring global cues and institutional activity for further directional moves before the closing bell.
Published on December 19, 2025
